Getting Ready for the MTC (Missionary Training Center)

TWENTY-ONE days until I report to the MTC! That is 3 weeks away. I cannot wait! I am so ready to go.
In partial honor to my impending arrival to the MTC and partially because I found this awesome inforgraphic (I just learned that that's what they are called) I wanted to do a little post about the MTC.

Before I actually got my call, I did a lot of MTC research. I found soooo many useful tips and tricks. I wish I could give credit where it is due but I'm pulling these out of a word document I made and I didn't site blogs there. Just know they aren't mine. The commentary on the tips, however, is mine. After I leave the MTC I'll make my own list of tips and tricks. But anyways...
Here are my favorites:
1. If you are learning a foreign language study before! At least learn the sounds of their alphabets. Try learning religious terms and phrases too. And don't get discouraged. It won't all come at once. Just try your best and work your hardest!
2. Snacks: Bring your own snacks (granola bars, microwave popcorn and such). Grab fruit from the cafeteria- you can eat it later! gum is highly discouraged...so bring mints.
3. You might not get a P-Day your first week. Make sure you have at least 10 outfits/ pairs of G's.
4. Make a workout book! (I've already made one. I went on pinterest and found a bunch of easy workouts and then printed them all out and put them in my missionary binder)
5. Bring a warm, comfy blanket from home. According to my brother the MTC blankets are gross. And it can get chilly at night.
6.You are given a card to get you in and out of buildings. You use it A LOT. Buy a cute lanyard. Or a retracting ID reel. And bring a ring to attach your key to a clip.
7. Stay away from the Orange Juice!
8. Exercise in the 2M gym under the bookstore. It's more private and a lot nicer! With treadmills etc! They also play the Joseph Smith movie on repeat! (I'm pretty sure this tip was from Bella in Berlin)
9. Go to the salad bar line in the MTC and order a tortilla, just put cheese on it and microwave it. Mixes up what you are eating.
10. Tie ribbons to your suitcase so you know which one is yours
11. Take a picture in front of the world map! It's by the cafeteria.
 and here are a few from my brother who just left the MTC a few weeks ago...
12. Take the bunk farthest from the door and with the most walls surrounding it (he thought that was the best one). He also recommends the top bunk.
13. Bring shower sandals, a pillow and a pillow case
14. See "Character of Christ" video by Elder Bednar the first Sunday you can. Then see it near the end of your stay. The dichotomy between interpretations each time you watch it is interesting
15. Read a lot of church history stuff before you come and brush up on it. There are no resources in the MTC for that.

The infographic is called "Preparation With a Purpose: Life in a Mormon Missionary Training Center". I love it! This brakes down what missionaries do in the MTC so perfectly. And then gives some other information about missionary Training Centers as well. Perfect for explaining the MTC to all my non-member friends.

Accessories Part I

Lately I've been feeling super lazy. As a result of this laziness, there haven't been any posts. Today I finally convinced myself to make a post. I set up all my jewelry, pulled out my camera, turned it on and up flashes the "battery exhausted" notice. Of course my battery is dead! It would've been too easy if it hadn't. After searching for my charger (with no luck) I finally had to resort to using my old camera. But, I'd say the pictures turned out ok...I'm breaking up accessories into parts. Today is jewelry. Stay tuned for belts, scarves and shoes. It's amazing how much an outfit can change with accessories!
I'm gonna admit I am having a hard time with necklaces. I've been told a few different ways to tell if a necklace or other jewelry is "mission appropriate." But then I see pictures of sister missionaries with jewelry that doesn't fit those rules. My friend also informed me that, in Brazil, the sisters were told to wear bright, loud jewelry to grab people's attention. Needless to say this has been tough for me. I am a big fan of statement necklaces, I think they pull an outfit together really nicely. Or, if you are stuck wearing the same clothes for 18 months, they could completely change the look of an outfit. But the question is; how much statement is too much statement? Well, this is what I've come up with..so without further ado...my mission jewelry...

Super cute, right? I'm a fan. And most of it wasn't even too expensive! Let me give you the dirt on where to find what.

 1. I can't find the joy necklace online anymore but they do have a hope necklace for $3.80. And I KNOW the joy necklace is in stores at Forever21
2. Forever21 Wiener dog necklace for $2.80
3. Crazy8...Yes, I know it's a kids clothing store but they have cute accessories sometimes!
4. Charlotte Russe. I paid $6 for it but you can get Jewelry 2 for $10
5. Etsy for $5.30 at this shop
6. Etsy for $14.00. These are actually in my shop

7. Charming Charlies. This was $14 and came with earrings too.
8. Etsy. Same shop as #5. If you buy three or more it is free shipping! And since shipping is $5 you might as well get another necklace. Just use code FREESHIPPING
9. I made this! I cost less than $10 to make. You just paint big (wooden) balls and put them on a chain.
10. Pandora Bracelet. I'm not a big bracelet wearer but my best friend got this for me and I love it.
11. Charming Charlies-again! Only $13.00. This is my all time favorite watch. I bought a couple to bring with me too since they are cheap. I tried buying a nicer quality watch but I just didn't like it as much as these beauties
12. Forever21. I think this was around $10. It isn't on-line but it is in stores!

**The first necklace I made (in memory of my time at Disney) and the second necklace was a gift. I love layering these. It gives an outfit a unique twist.

Stay tuned for accessories part II! 

la Orana

In February my brother got called to serve in the Tahiti, Papeete mission. He was at BYU so he opened it with us via Sykpe. When the poor guy opened his call, and read Tahiti no one believed him! But, he was telling the truth and, after 12 weeks in the MTC learning how to teach the gospel in French AND Tahitian, he is finally leaving Provo and is flying to Tahiti TOMORROW!

Here he is leaving for the Provo MTC, back in July. As the oldest child, I usually get to experience most things first, but he beat me to the MTC!
I am sooo proud of him. He is going to be such a wonderful missionary and the Tahitian people are lucky to have him for two years. You can follow him and read about his MTC and missionary adventures too! He has a blog called Tahiti Times.

Above are two pictures of Tahiti. He may be in paradise, but he is also in the middle of nowhere. On most maps you can't even see Tahiti, or the Cook Islands where he will be. On this map his little islands are magnified so you actually can see them! We are both going to be on islands in the Pacific. But, mine is a little easier to find! The picture to the right is what Kristoffer, or Elder Molinari, will get to experience for the next two years! Jealous anyone? I know I am. But only because he gets to skip out on winter for two years!

Anyways, it would be super cool if you would write him! Well, I think it would be anyways... And super funny. He would get all these letters from people he didn't know and I'm sure he wouldn't figure out why he was getting them at first. I think it'd be great. He's a good looking guy and he always has something interesting or funny (and often times sarcastic) to say. And, although he would probably say otherwise, I bet he would love the unexpected mail (and the mystery behind it). We don't know how often he will have  access to the internet so email is out! Thank goodness for snail mail! Here is his new address: